Chartered Accountants Association, Surat (CAAS) & Ors. Vs Union of India & Ors. (Gujarat High Court)
The Gujarat High Court, in a writ petition concerning prolonged delays in releasing Income Tax Return (ITR) utilities, noted continued non-compliance with its 2015 directive mandating availability of such utilities by 1st April each year. Despite an earlier direction on 7th April 2026 requiring the CBDT to file an affidavit proposing remedial measures, no such affidavit was submitted by 27th April 2026. The Court acknowledged the complexity of the issues, describing them as involving a multi-stakeholder and multi-tiered institutional process, and granted further time for compliance. Consequently, the matter has been adjourned to 23rd June 2026 after the summer vacation. Meanwhile, significant delays persist, with 58 days of the assessment year 2026–27 elapsed, ITR utilities yet to be released, and portal readiness still pending. The case highlights ongoing systemic lapses and continued judicial monitoring of compliance with earlier court directions.
FULL TEXT OF THE JUDGMENT/ORDER OF GUJARAT HIGH COURT
Looking to the complexity involved in the issues raised in the present writ petition, which involve a multi-stakeholder, multi-tiered institutional process, we are inclined to accept the request of the learned Senior Standing Counsel Mr. Sanghani, to adjourn the matter in order to see that appropriate affidavit is filed.
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